Interactive Toy

ABSTRACT

An activity device that is used in sports or recreational activities that incorporates an electronic component that interacts with the user and or other users is disclosed. The activity device contains an electronic housing does not hinder the activity in any manner. The electronic housing has components that collect activity data in the form of a picture, a sound bite, activity statistics, personal information about the user or participants, or previous scoring information or rules of the activity, and processes that activity data. The activity device further sends this processed activity data to a receiving device. Viewers of the activity data can interactively communicate back to the original activity device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/342,145, filed on Apr. 10,2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to activity devices that are used invarious sporting or recreational activities. In one embodiment, thepresent invention relates to an aerodynamic flying disc device, such asthat known as the Frisbee®, for use in throwing games. It also relatesto electronic components that exist in the activity device to aid in theenjoyment or the organization of the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recreational and sporting goodsequipment or devices used in various indoor and outdoor activities, andmore particularly, a throwing disc, a flying vehicle, flying toys,sporting balls, action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, or the like. Itis also in the technical field of electronic components, portable mediaplayback equipment, components for processing and communicating variousactivity data, and in particular to portable devices that communicateswith various other devises wirelessly and has the ability for processingdata, such as reproducing and playing audio music and signals, as wellas organizing the data and further communicating the data with a vastinteractive audience.

Activities and electronics have recently been synchronized to enhancethe entertainment value of a recreational activity. For example, flyingdiscs that were once a past time toy, are now being used in organized,competitive events, such as Ultimate Frisbee® or Disc Golf® matches. Inthese activities, the flying discs are thrown by a user and rotate toaffect an aerodynamically optimized flight. Some of these flying discsare called Aerobies® or FRISBEES®. Other flying toys also encompassvarious types of balls, such as baseballs, footballs, basketballs, orsponge-like balls, such as Nerf balls, rubber, textured balls, plush,fabric or nylon pouches, foam, polyfil, or bead filled bags. Some ofthese activity devices can also be puck shaped, such as a hockey puck.Other activity devices may include figurines, dolls, tradable coins, orvarious children's stuffed animals.

Prior art flying disc toys have been enhanced with lights mountedthereon to add interest and entertainment. Typical of such flying disclighted toys are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,246 to Johnsonet al. titled “Illuminating Flying Saucer,” which issued in Jan. 15,1974. But recent technology allows for more sophisticated electroniccapabilities with flying discs and other activity devices. For example,there is a need to post various statistics about an activity, providetracking capabilities for the activity device, share photos, sharerecordings, share videos, provide personal information aboutparticipants, and discuss various rules about the activities on theInternet. There exists dedicated websites to Ultimate Frisbee® or asocial network sites that have high capabilities to organize events foractivities or share activity data, such as Facebook® or Twitter®. Withthe Internet, a host of new audiences can now share in the fun,listening to the sounds of the activity, watching videos or photos ofthe activity, documenting content from the activity, or evenparticipating in the activity from their home computers. These activitydevices are in a sense connected to the Internet and these activitydevices can enjoy the benefits of an immediate interactive experiencewith a vast new audience.

In U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1 by Lindsey et al. titled “ThrowableObject Featuring Message Record And Impact-Activated Playback,” there isdisclosed a modern activity device with electronic components to recordand playback messages after being thrown or hit into the ground. Such anactivity device is capable of inputting activity data, such as arecording, and has the ability to play it on an output device, such asspeakers. Although incorporating these types of electronic componentsinto activity devices are known in the art, there is a need to gofurther with organizing the activity data and communicating the activitydata with a bigger audience. And there is a further need for theaudience to communicate back to the activity device, which allows for anenhanced interactive experience.

Various other types of toys currently perform various electronic tasks.The obvious choice is a mechanized robot, or a stuffed animal or modeltoy with various electronic components. U.S. Pat. No. 7,139,642 titled“Robot system and robot apparatus control method,” which issued Nov. 21,2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated, discloses wirelessrobots that are freely capable of sending wireless transmissions tocommunicate with each other. In stuffed animals, the electroniccomponents are placed so as not to be conspicuous, which may allow forthe stuff animal to simulate an “old fashion” as if not to have anyelectronic capabilities. And these electronic tasks performed by thesemodern toys may involve recording sound bites, playing music, takingphotos, taking video, listening to commands and moving parts of the bodyin association with the commands.

But in this field, there is a need to better utilize the miniaturizedelectronic components, synchronize and incorporate the ideas ofelectronic tasks with the activities that are involved, and share thatinformation with others. The task can be as simple as collectingactivity data, such as a sound recording, and sending it to another userthat is not nearby. Or the task can be the collection of activity datathat is statistical, which can be wirelessly and immediately shared withthe world. There is a need over the prior art to make the activity moreinteractive by involving the larger audience in the activity. There is aneed to incorporate other types of electronic features into the activitydevice, such as gyroscopes, GPS receivers to locate the device globally,internal sensors, accelerometers, tracking software to trace thelocation of the activity device, various sensors to recognize a patternof use such that it recognizes the activity that is being played,microprocessoring power to process and organize and take in activitystatistics, computer components (RAM, ROM, software), and various othercomponents depending on the nature of the activity device. By allowingthe activity device process and share the activity data, there is animmediate interactive experience with a worldwide audience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines conventional activity devices, such asrecreational toys, with modern electronic components that allow theactivity device to collect various data about the activity, process theactivity data, and then communicate it in some form to others making theactivity interactive. The present invention is an activity device, suchas a throwing flying disc, that contains unhindered electroniccomponents that allows for the collection of recordings and/or othertypes of activity data, processing the activity data, and communicatethe activity data to a receiving device, and ultimately to other viewersallowing them to be interactive. The present invention seeks to improveupon the prior art activity and/or recreational devices, and inparticular to make the activity device more interactive with the userusing electronics and organizational websites, such as social networkwebsites.

In order to make the activity device interactive, the present inventionincorporates three features. First, the activity device must containelectronic components that do not hinder the activity in any manner. Forexample, in a flying disc, the electronic components must exist in amanner to not hinder the aerodynamic features of the flying disc,especially for competitive Ultimate Frisbee® or Disc Golf® games.Second, the electronic component in the activity device must collectsome form of activity data and process the activity data. Third, theelectronic component that collects the activity must be able tocommunicate that processed activity data to another user or anotherdevice, using standard methods of communication, such as standardwireless communications or through a speaker.

For purposes of this present invention, the term “process” or“processing” when used in conjunction with a processor is defined as anact of taking the analog or digital data that was inputted andorganizing the data, computing statistics with the data (e.g., ave.,sum), enhancing the digital recording, or arranging the activity datathat will further assist in the display, organization, or entertainmentof the activity data. The activity data can be photos of the activity,videos of the activity, sound recordings of the activity, the particularname of the activity game, the score of an activity, the location of anactivity, the time an activity started and/or stopped, the rules of theactivity, the participants of the activity, personal information aboutthe participants of the activity, the exact location of the activitydevice, the point systems involved in an activity, and/or the stats ofthe activity. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee®game, Disc Golf® game, a basketball game, a baseball game, a hockeygame, a sporting game or match, a fishing contest, chess match, a kiteflying contest, a flying vehicle contest, a golf tournament, aroll-playing game, a race, a marathon, a triathlon, a bike race, anorganized activity involving themed characters or figures, or anyactivity that involves an activity device.

For example, let's say that the activity device is a flying disc. Theactivity device is a typical disc that is axially symmetrical with anupper surface plate of minimum thickness adjoined to (i.e. contiguouswith) a rim of carefully designed depth. In modern flying discs, themass of the disc is removed to the rim to maximize the angular momentumgiven to the disc at launch and subsequently reduce the rate at whichthe disc rolls (and pitches) in flight. The rim and plate togetherdefine a cavity beneath the plate that, due to the high pressuredifference caused by the trailing edge rim, stabilizes the pitchingmoment and inhibits the gyroscopic roll rate to within acceptable boundsfor free-flight.

Flying discs are generally made without thought of incorporating anytype of electronics. With technological advancements made inminiaturizing electronic components, such as memory components,recording components, voice modulators, music players, speakers,microprocessors, monitors, and such, the flying disc can use theseadvancements to create new and innovative features that exceed thecurrent limit of imaginative toys. In this example, the flying discincorporates electronic components without affecting the aerodynamicfeatures of the flying disc. According to one aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a circular flying disc having an electronichousing that contains an input device, which inputs activity data. Theinput device can be triggered by simple motion sensors or touch sensors.The flying disc contains an electronic component that contains a numberof different functions, such as a recorder and a speaker that can recordan audio response when the activity device is triggered, i.e., an inputof an activity data, and can process the audio recording and play backthe audio response at a remote receiving device when the activity deviceis triggered again. The activity device has the ability to send theprocessed activity data to a receiving device, which can be externalspeakers, or it can be to a receiving device that is not connected tothe activity device. The need to process the activity data at the deviceis so to organize the data and efficiently communicate the data so thatwhen the activity data is communicated, it can provide an immediateinteractive experience. The device also contains some form of storagememory to be able to record a number of different responses. The devicealso contains a camera to take pictures or video and alternatively asmall screen to play back the pictures or video. The device alsocontains some form of remote or wireless transmission capability so thatthe recordings can be transferred to a separate receiving device thatcan play the recording or process the recording. The device may containdifferent external sensors, such as a motion sensor, barometer,thermometer, infra-red receiver, or RF receiver as discussed above andbelow, which may all be triggered by the appropriate and respectivesensor stimulation.

The flying disc may also have other types of activity data processingcomponents, for instance the names of all the participants in theUltimate Frisbee® game, the stats of each of the participants, the scoreof the current game, the location of the game, the rankings of the teamsor players, the time the game was initiated, and the like.

Alternatively, the activity device does not have to be a flying disc nordoes the activity have to be an Ultimate Frisbee® game. The activitydevice is a device that is launched, caught, thrown, propelled, or movedas part of a sport, recreation, or play that is comprised of a flyingtoy, or flying vehicle, a launched toy, football, baseball, basketball,flying ring, soccer ball, sponge balls, sports ball, sponge darts,darts, flying toy airplanes, flying toy helicopters, dolls, actionfigures, figurines, teddy bears, chess pieces, golf clubs or golfapparel, tennis racquets or tennis apparel, tradable coins, andcollectibles. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee®game, or Disc Golf® game, or a basketball game, or a baseball game, or ahockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flying contest, or a flyingvehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game of roll-playing game,or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bike race, or anorganized activity involving themed characters or figures. The activityis not limited to these activities alone.

The activity device can communicate the activity data using wirelesscommunication to various other types of receiving devices, such as otheractivity devices, computer, wireless routers, smart phone, laptop, tablePC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate faxmachines, tablets, or netbooks. In these cases, each separate receivingdevice can process the activity data. The process of the activity caninclude the posting of the activity data, whether it is a recording,video, stats of the participants, personal information regarding theparticipants, the time and location of the activity, and otherinformation discussed above and below. The posting of the informationand activity data includes posting the information in social networksites, public database, and dedicated WebPages. It is not limited tothose types of publishing. And in these and other cases, there may existfor other users or viewers of the activity data to communicate otherinformation, like a comment or an exact ruling on a rule and acontroversial play with the rule, about the activity in progress back tothe original user. The information that is sent back to the activitydevice may be processed to explain a rule or a general public opinion orrating system or updated similar scores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of a prior art activity device,wherein in this example the activity device is a flying disc and theactivity data is a recording and the receiving device are the speakers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the prior artactivity device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of an example of the device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of an external receiving device that interacts with theactivity device;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional topical view of an example of an activitydevice, wherein in this example the activity device is a flying disc,having the interactive electronic components, a first and secondelectronic components;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the activity device in FIG. 5, whichshows the electronic components that collects activity data, processesactivity data, and can alternatively wirelessly communicate activitydata;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the electronic housing in an activitydevice of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view of an alternative type of activity device having theinteractive electronic component;

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device having theinteractive electronic component;

FIG. 10 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device havingthe interactive electronic component;

FIG. 11 is a view of an alternative type of an activity device havingthe interactive electronic component;

FIG. 12 is an embodiment with a paddle having a receiving device and theball having the electronic components to input activity data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatreads and communicates activity data with a separate device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatreads and communicates activity data by wireless communication with aseparate device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatreads and communicates activity data with another activity device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatreads and communicates activity data wirelessly with the network.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatcommunicates activity data with the network and allows the viewers torespond.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the steps of an activity device thatreads and communicates activity data with multiple other users.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing that the activity device can join orcreate activity applications.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of multiple users.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activityapplication.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activityapplication.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an alternative way to initiate activityapplication.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram for one of the embodiments in the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 discloses a typeof flying disc that exists in the prior art. For example, Lindsey et al.discussed above and below disclose a flying disc of this nature. Thereis shown an activity device 1 having a perimeter 2. The activity device1 has speaker 3 and a touch area 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the prior artactivity device 1 contains an upper body 6 and an underbelly 7. There isan inner module 5 that located at the center of activity device 1, whichis located at the underbelly. The inner module 5 has a recording button3, which activates a recording function. A user can press the recordingbutton 8 and record a message. There is storage means for the recording,and there is the ability to replay the recording on speaker 3 whenactivated to do so. There is no means by which to send that activitydata to anyone other than the immediate recipient of the activitydevice.

An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 3, whichdiscloses activity device 21. The activity device is a flying disc andcontains electronic components that are of proper shape and weight suchas to not interfere with the flight of the activity device 21, or flyingdisc. The activity device 21 has a cylindrical or radially aerodynamiccasing that contains an electronic component housing 9. In a preferredembodiment, electronic component housing 9 contains a circuit board andcomponents that allow for the ability to input activity data. Theactivity data can be a wide array of digital or analog information, suchas videos, sound recordings, statistics on an activity, scoring or pointsystem, personal information about the participants, as others asdiscussed above and below. The input means can be a standard recordingreceiver well known in the art that can record sounds, videos, and thesuch, with the activation of a trigger by the user. The electronichousing 9 has the ability (including components for microprocessor, RAM,ROM, and software) to store and playback the recording. And in thiscase, there is receiving devices, which are external speakers 23 thatcan accept activity data and playback the activity data. The externalspeakers are not attached to the activity device and are consideredreceiving device 16. Receiving device 16 can also communicate withvarious other outsources, such as the Internet. There is also thecapability for a touch sensitive area that can trigger the application.The touch sensitive area is a standard electromechanical switch and/ortouch sensitive pads that are well known in the art and need not bedescribed in further detail herein. The touch trigger can also bemechanical-triggered, pressure-triggered, moisture-triggered,capacitive-triggered, electromagnetically-triggered, orinduction-triggered that is standard in the art. In these instances,there is an electronic input that communicates the activation of thetrigger to the electronic component housing 9.

Although in FIG. 3, the activity device is in the shape of a flyingdisc, the activity device 21 can take many different shapes, including alinear disc, linear ring, boomerang or another oddly shaped flyingshape, circular ball shape, hockey puck, oblong ball shape, such as afootball, and can be made in various sizes, for example, the size of abaseball or larger than a basketball. This list is not a total list andmay include activities that are not specifically listed. It can alsoincludes paddle and ball type activities wherein the actual collectionof activity data and processing of the data can occur between the balland paddles before it is sent to the receiving device.

The encasing for the activity device 21 can be made of various hard orflexible plastics, fiber, fiberglass, fabric, wood, metals, polymers.The material can be made of stiff materials, such as metals, or moreresilient materials, such as polypropylene. Each embodiment can also bemade by a molding process with polymers, with similar but differentmolds being used in producing each embodiment or it can be made ofinflatable ball material using vinyl, or something similar. The foamembodiment toy is made in a mold in which the chemically activated foamis injected with the foam growing after it is poured into the mold.

The activity device 21 collects activity data, wherein the activity datais comprised of photos of the activity, videos of the activity, soundrecordings of the activity, the type of activity, the score of anactivity, the location of an activity, the time an activity startedand/or stopped, the rules of the activity, the participants of theactivity, personal information about the participants of the activity,the point systems involved in an activity, tracking location of theactivity device, personal information about the date of an exchange ortrade, the rotational turns and speed of the activity device, and/or thestats of an activity. The activity data is then processed at theactivity device 21. The activity data is processed at the activitydevice in order to expedite the communication to others. Because theactivity requires immediate feedback from the audience, the processingof the activity data at the activity device reduces the inefficiency ifit was done at the receiving device. The activity can be comprised of anUltimate Frisbee® game, or Disc Golf® game, or a basketball game, or abaseball game, or a hockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flyingcontest, or a flying vehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game ofroll-playing game, or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bikerace, or an organized activity or hobby involving themed characters orfigures or an exchange of collectibles, such as coins. In the particularcase, there exists a trigger activation 4 on the activity device 21,such as a touch sensitive activation of an application, or as discussedin the examples above. The electronic component housing 9 contains thenecessary electronic components to collect the activity data and/orprocess the activity data. Those components are discussed in detailbelow. The type of electronic components may be speakers, recordingdevices, microprocessor, memory, accelerometer, motion sensor, standardGPS receiver, antenna, and components can be used for proper locationactivity data. Standard atomic clocks can be used to determine accuratetime. These electronic components are not limited to these components.Standard electronic components to collect and process activity data,such as calculators, or small computers are considered within the typesof components in the activity device 21.

Recent developments in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technologyhave opened new avenues for the use of high precision lightweightaccelerometers and gyroscopes for new and challenging sportsapplications. MEMS integrate both electrical and mechanical componentson a single chip through extensive research into integrated circuitprocessing technologies. As MEMS accelerometers originated frommonitoring vehicle safety and electronic stabilization, they onlyprovided very low accuracy measurements. However, as micromechanicaldevices are inherently smaller, lighter, and usually more precise thantheir macroscopic counterparts, more and more reliable sensors arebecoming available. Accelerometers measure linear acceleration andgyroscopes measure angular acceleration (pitch, yaw and roll).

Depending on the activity, flying discs have a critically optimum shapeand characteristics. Beginner flying discs may have a weight about 80grams. They maintain a certain size to weight ratio for the purpose ofallowing young users and beginners to throw accurately. For competitiveflying disc activities, the accuracy and the distance requires differentcharacteristics. For example, in the game of Ultimate Frisbee®, theweight of the flying disc is 175 grams and the size is scaled up tobalance the area to weight ratio. The module housing and electroniccomponents of the flying disc has a weight of 35 grams, the weight ofthe flying disc has to be reduced by 35 grams to maintain the idealweight of 175 grams. For a game of Disc Golf®, the desired weight of theflying disc is that is required to throw a long distance with theability to also throw accurately for shorter distance requires a weightof approximately 150 to 180 grams and a proportional change in thesize/weight ratio. The electronic components must also fit within thedimensions of the disc so as not to interfere with its aerodynamicfeatures, which is critical in accurately tossed discs. The electronichousing must have a radial symmetrical shape and be centrally aligned atthe middle of the disc so as not to interfere with the flight andbalance of the disc. Such electronic components can be cylindrical,round, star shaped, or the like. In cases where the electroniccomponents are square, such components must have proper weight balancewith the device such as not to disrupt the balance, consistency, andaccuracy of its rotational base. The weight of the materials taken ofthe original shape flying disc to add the electronic components arecarefully weighed and compared so that the discrepancy is no more than10%. For example, if 10 grams of plastic materials from the radialcenter that was removed from a flying disc, the electronic componentswere not only designed to not affect the aerodynamics, but he weight ofthe electronic components were with 9 to 11 grams, which is a 10% errormargin.

It is critical for electronic component housing 9 not to hinder theactivity device during the activity. In the embodiments disclosedthroughout this application, electronic components are designed not tobe conspicuous nor affect the flight or movement or weight of theactivity device in a way to affect the enjoyment of the activity. Inmany instances, such as in the model flying planes, placement of weightis often a key element in its ability to move properly through the air.In these instances, the electronic components have been placed inlocations to assist in the proper distribution of weight to aid themovement of the activity device.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the activity device 21 has an electroniccomponent housing 9, which includes a circuit board and all thenecessary electronic components and connections, a recording component10, a speaker component 11, a memory storage component 12, a wirelesscommunication component 13, and alternatively, a camera component 14.The device can also contain a microprocessor 15 that can organize andperform functions with the stored information, such as pictures andrecordings. The device also contains an energy source 77 that can be avarious form of energy, such as a standard battery, solar poweredcomponent, or chemically powered component. As discussed above, othercomponents may exist, which may include, but is not limited to, GPSreceiver, accelerometer, motion sensor, thermometer, altimeter,gyroscope, angular acceleration in 3D sensors, and various types ofsensors, frequency sensors, etc. . . . Various miniature recordingcomponents and speaker components are well known in the art and need notbe described in further detail. Various storage components are wellknown in the art and need not be described in further detail. Theyinclude detachable memory cards, such as SD cards, as well as flashmemory components. Standard microprocessors, ROM, RAM, and basicapplication software for inputting data, storing data, and processingdata, as well as all other miniaturized computer components are wellknown in the art. The operations of each of these components aredependent on the arrangement and electrical connections of the circuitboard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,009, issued Jul. 18, 1989, to Nicholas A.Rodgers, discloses a LED system and is incorporated herein by referenceto show how some hardware components are attached.

As shown, in FIG. 8, the activity device can be in the shape of anoblong football 24. In this activity device, the electronic component 25may comprise an electronic housing with the circuitry laid out so as tonot dispel more than 10% of the weight of the laces and so that thehousing will feel and act like laces. The housing does not change therotational capabilities or throwing accuracy of the ball. The laces aremade of polyvinyl chloride or leather and the electronic housing 9 iswithin the 10% weight requirement and the size of the laces. There mayalso be disclosed a small display carefully located and weighted so asnot to affect the flight of the football. Other areas on the footballcan be used. The present invention incorporates by reference thedisclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,661 to Lemmon titled “Trainingfootball” that was issued Nov. 16, 1993. As shown by the prior artLemmon, components can be strategically place inside the football. Thepresent invention also incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 6,695,728 to Eddins that was issued on Feb. 24, 2004 titled“Throwing toy with distance counter.” In Eddins, there is disclosed theability to measure the distance and the rotations of the football. Thepresent invention also incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 4,534,557 to Bigelow et al. that was issued Aug. 13, 1985. Inthe prior art Bigelow et al., there is disclosed a system that uses aconventional football that contains a pressure transducer. The pressuretransducer sends by radio waves the impact to a receiving device. Unlikethe prior art, the football in the current application actually has anelectronic housing and components that inputs activity data from theactivity. Unlike Lemmon, the weight of the electronic components and thelocation of the components would not affect the flight of the football.Unlike Eddins, the distance and the rotations of the football areconsidered activity data that is communicated with the receiving device.Unlike Bigelow et al, the activity device processes the activity datalocated in the activity device and then communicates it with thereceiving device wherein a vast number of viewers can provide feedbackto the original activity device, such as displaying the audiencefeedback on the small display. The activity data is organized andprocessed at the activity device such that when the activity data iswirelessly communicated to others, the immediacy of the processed datacan provide an interactive experience, wherein the users can communicatedirectly with the activity device.

In FIG. 9, there is a disclosed an embodiment where in the activitydevice is a toy duck 27. In this toy duck, the electronic component 26is placed in the bill of the duck so as not to be conspicuous. In FIG.10, there is disclosed an embodiment wherein the activity device is atoy plane 28. In this embodiment, the electronic component 29 is placedstrategically in the nose of the plane so as to enhance the flightcapabilities and provide equal weight to both the left and right side ofthe plane. In FIG. 11, the activity device is a stuffed animal 30 has anelectronic component in the nose of the bear so as not to interfere withthe enjoyment of the toy. In FIG. 12, the electronic component may existin two items. The main electronic component 43 may exist in the paddleand a sub-electronic component 44 may exist in ball 42. There may bestandard means by which the ball and the paddle may establish a means ofcommunication and exchange activity data, which is discussed extensivelybelow. Whether the activity device is a sporting ball, or figurine, or aplaying piece, the criticality of the device having this electroniccomponent housing so as to not interfere with the activity is anessential part of the invention.

The present invention incorporates herein the disclosure of U.S. Pub.No. US 2008/0284650 A1 to MacIntosh et al. titled “Sports sensor” withthe publication date of Nov. 20, 2008. MacIntosh et al. discloses anelectronic sensor for use in sporting events that collects activitydata, such as information from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS andcommunicates them by transmission. Unike MacIntosh, the electronichousing 9 in the present invention is located within the activity deviceso as not to interfere with the activity. Second, the activity data isprocessed by the activity device and then transmitted to a receivingdevice. Third, there is the ability for a larger audience to view andshare the activity data, and there is also the ability for the audienceto communicate back to the activity device. This includes statisticsabout the activity device itself. As taught in MacIntosh et al, thereare known ways in the industry to calculate the movements and rotationsof the activity device by the sensors. Feedback from the audience caninclude comments about a particular throw or advice on how to perform itbetter.

The electronic component housing 9 can be located in a central positionon the disc such that the module can occupy a small hole in the centerof the disc as shown in FIG. 3, or near the center of the disc or theelectronic components can be mounted to the underbelly of the disc sothat the aerodynamic integrity of the disc is maintained. The electroniccomponent housing 9 should be arranged in the most efficient way tocentralize the balance and minimize any air turbulence during anactivity throw.

The activity device 21 may include other types of components orelectronic components that can collect data that is related to anactivity. A flying disc may have the components to detect when it isbeing rotated and automatically sense a game is being played. Bygenerating a pattern for when the device is being used and the frequencyof the tosses, similarly disclosed by MacIntosh et al., the activitydevice can calculate whether a game has started. If the frequency of therotations or timing of them match a pattern that may suggest a game isbeing played, as opposed to casual throws. This is all done by softwareapplication that communicates with the electronic housing 9 or is partof the central processing system with memory, ROM, RAM, and processorthat is housed in electronic housing 9. As disclosed in MacIntosh etal., the device may contain a standard gyroscope and sensors, standardGPS receivers for location of the device, standard accelerometers tocalculate the acceleration of the activity device, and the othercomponents that may measure time, altitude, velocity, or rotational axisor speed of the activity device. The proper software may recognizecertain patterns in the way a certain activity device is being carried,thrown, or played. For example, the electronic housing 9 have componentsin a flying disc to contain an application that allows for thedetermination with the frequency at which the flying disc is beingthrown that a Disc Golf® game has initiated. The accelerometer, inertialsensors for measuring angular acceleration, velocity readers, and thegyroscope can also calculate location of the activity device and thestats, such as the distance the last activity device flew, with theproper application. The frequency at which the device is thrown and atwhat speed can be calculated and if such patterns exist thatdistinguishes a resting mode of the activity device versus an activemode, the application may initiate a statistical activity data processorwherein it would store and process the speed, the type of turns made bythe activity device, recognition of other users via wirelesscommunication with another receiving device or other activity device(s).This recognition can come in the form of recognizing other activityballs in the area via wireless communication. The activity device may bea golf club that may be activated with the activation of other users orplayers that are nearby. The recognition of the activity and the properinitiation of the application to process the activity data, whether it'sstatistical information or pictures or sound bites, is part of thisinvention.

FIG. 24 shows a circuitry for one embodiment of the present invention.Other types of circuitry are envisioned for each of the embodimentsdisclosed. The circuitry is standard in the art. At the center of theblock diagram is microcontroller 60. The microcontroller is preferablyan 8 bit Atmel AT mega 128 micro controller. The microcontroller can beprogrammed and can store data and is provided with a 256 megabyte flashmemory 61. The USB port is preferably a Silicon Technologies USB to UARTdata transfer CP 2101 and allows data to be down loaded to a personalcomputer for further analysis and storage and also allow the battery tobe charged by way of the battery charger 62, such as a 600 mAhr LithiumIon rechargeable battery, which in turn is connected to the power supply63. The microcontroller displays outputs on the LCD display 64. Thecircuitry also includes a 4.8 GHz transmitter and receiver 65 so thatdata can be transmitted and received. The transmitter and receiver 65see is preferably a GFSK transceiver nRF2401 sold by NordicSemiconductor. The electronic housing 9 contains a circuitry includes anactivity data collection station 67, which may GPS 66 unit is an iTRAX03 by Fastrax with 12 channels and an update rate below 5 Hz with a 1 Hzdefault rate. The Activity data collection station 67 is preferablysoftware that is located in ROM, memory, or RAM that allows for theinput of various activity data. Accelerometer 68 is preferably a 3 axisKionix accelerometers (KXM52-1050) aligned orthogonally to measurerotation in 3 directions. 3D compass 69 are preferably from Hitachi(HM55B). The sound and video recorder 70 are standard recording/playbackcomponents well known in the art.

Various methods are well known in the art to synchronize and exchangewireless data. The present invention hereby incorporates by referenceU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,783,258 to Bevin et al, and 6,757,547 to Hagen et al.,which discloses ways in which data can synchronize and exchange betweentwo devices. The activity data is preferably compressed. Compressionstandards are well known in the art, such as MPEG, and may be suitablefor use in the present invention. Digitizing andcompression/decompression circuitry is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,355,450, 5,045,940 and published Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)applications WO93/12481 and WO93/12613, which are hereby incorporated.

Various circuit boards are well known in the art for combining thesecomponents together. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1 byLindsey et al. titled “Throwable Object Featuring Message Record AndImpact-Activated Playback,” filed on Aug. 17, 2006, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference, discloses in FIG. 4 acircuitry board that would be used for an embodiment that involved therecording and playback feature in a flying disc. U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,289to Hoffberg titled “Mobile Communication Device” is incorporated hereinby reference. Hoffberg discloses miniaturized GPS components and itscapabilities to incorporate them into mobile devices or small devices.

Various wireless communication components are well known in the art andneed not be described in further detail. They include radio signaltransmitters, or Bluetooth technology capabilities, infrared wave signaltransmitters, or any other type of wave communication, whether analog ordigital that can communicate with other receiving devices andcomponents. These types of wireless communications may include, forexample Near Field Communication (“NFC”) and initiating and uploading ofhost or “hotspoting,” or wherein a user relies on a communicationdevice, e.g., a cell phone or other mobile device capable ofcommunication. Triangulation of the appropriate output device can be bycombining global GPS technology, wireless technology, NFC, ambient radiofrequency noise, or other technologies that mathematically determine thephysical location via the algorithm in the network application. Thewireless communication is well known in the art. For example, the toycan have access via a personal hot spot wireless communication. Wirelessgateways may serve as a “hotspot” (or wireless access point) for one ormore other wireless users. The gateway may provide a backhaul connectionto the Internet (e.g., world wide web, e-mail, ftp, etc.) for variouswireless components through a service provider network. The hotspot maybe able to route different media formats such as data, voice and/orvideo and would be able to support unicast, broadcast and/or multicasttraffic. The wireless gateway may provide different networks for theusers. For example, a first user may be engaged in a sporting activityand connect to a first network provided by the wireless gateway.Meanwhile, other users also engaged in the sporting activity may connecta second network, communicate various data with the first user and thencommunicate with other users provided by the wireless gateway. Forexample, flying disc may have a wireless 802.11a/b/g/n capability todiscuss the score and various activity of an Ultimate Frisbee® game.Other players, either on the wireless toy itself or by their cellphones, tablets, personal computers, hand-held or laptop devices, smartphones, netbook computers, media player devices, or the like, cancommunicate that data with an Internet website, or a database ordatabase server, like MySQL. Various camera and microprocessorcomponents are well known in the art and need not be described infurther detail.

If the activity data is communicated with a database, a databasemanagement system (DBMS) provides storage, access, security, backup andother facilities for the activity data. Examples of some commonly usedDBMS are MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, FileMaker,Oracle, Sybase, dBASE, Clipper, FoxPro etc. Almost every databasesoftware comes with an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver thatallows the database to integrate with other databases, so theintegration between the database for the activity is considered to bewithin the known art.

The wireless capabilities may also include an adjustable range. Thedevice can have a variable wireless transmitter range that can beincreased or decreased by the user. Such capabilities for software tovary the range are well understood and known in the computer programmingart. In such manner, there may exist an opportunity for lessinterference from other activities.

Further, the electronic housing 9 may be detachable and able tocommunicate with other devices. The electronic housing 9 may communicatewith other devices, such as computers via various electronic connectioncapabilities, such as USB connection, or USB 2 connection, or Firewireconnection, or any other type of connection that allows for the transferof information from the storage component 8 to the other device. Theactivity data that is communicated with the other devices can be savedor processed further, for example posted on a social network website orsent to database server.

FIG. 4 describes an external electronic receiving device 16. Theexternal electronic receiving device 16 contains the ability to receiveinformation from the activity device 21. The external receiving device16 may contain its own circuitry that is the same as circuitry in theactivity device having its own microprocessor 19, RAM, ROM, software torun the application, and memory 20 and wireless capabilities 21. Inaddition, it may contain speaker 17 or its own trigger device to replayvarious music or recordings that is triggered by the activity device 21.For example, the external electronic receiving device 16 has thecapability to play a recording when automatically triggered by the touchsensitive areas 3 and 4 of the flying device. In another example,external electronic receiving device 16 has the ability to wirelesscommunicate data with activity device 21 using standard wirelesscommunication capabilities, including, but not limited to, infrared,Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, hotspot creation, NFC, or any other type ofwireless technology as discussed above. The external electronicreceiving device 16 can be a computer that is connected to the Internet.The receiving device 16 may be connected to the network by a networkinterface 22. The network interface 22 can be connected to any one ofmany different types of network settings, including, one or multiplenetworks of any type (i.e., wired and/or wireless). For example, networkmay include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), atelephone network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), acellular network, or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a satellitenetwork, an intranet, the Internet, a data network, and/or a privatenetwork, public database, like MySQL, and private databases.

Further, once the connection with the internet is made, thecommunication of the electronic receiving device 16 with various socialnetwork sites or dedicated WebPages would be one of many ways wherein auser can communicate the activity data. For example, a social networkprovider such as, for example, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, etc., whichmay be owned, operated, and/or managed by social network providers thatmay correspond information from activities and publish or communicate orprocess the activity data that is collected at the site of the activity.The activity data can also be sent to a database or database server,like MySQL. Many database systems, public and non-public, are well knownin the art.

In FIG. 6, there is a disclosed a standard electronic housing 9.Electronic housing 9 discloses a cylindrical body 40. The components aresuch that is to equally weigh each side of the cylinder is a way that asnot to produce more than 10% difference of weight from any one quadrantof the cylinder to another quadrant, which will not affect the flyingmotion of the activity device 1, which in this particular case is aflying disc. The housing 9 contains a top 32 and a base 40, which ismolded to properly displace weight to all equal sides. The housing 9also contains a circuit board 34. The electronic circuitry controls theoperation of collecting activity data and sending the activity data. Thecircuit board carries the necessary component required to perform thefunctions as discussed below, and in addition to transistors,capacitors, resistors, battery, and various input and output componentsthat would likely exist in a computer. In this case, the circuit board35 contain a microprocessor 35, storage means 41, ROM 42, RAM 36,wireless communication component 37, battery 8, gyroscope 33 and aspeaker 39. A standard computer component setup can be used to haveinput and outputs of various activity data. For example, the standardgyroscope 33 and the software application that is located in the ROM 42,RAM 36, and processed by the microprocessor 35 can all communicate todetermine the number of times that the disc had been thrown. Themicroprocessor 5 can then communicate that data with another receivingdevice with the wireless communication component 37.

In one embodiment, a friendly or competitive game is initiated wherebyan activity device 1, such as a flying disc, containing an electroniccomponent, such as a recording device. The recording device is used torecord messages or send messages to other participants. The first usercan record a message or record a statement stating a score or statisticinto the flying disc by activating a recording feature. The input of theelectronic component of the activity data is the recording device, andthe activity data in this particular case is a sound recording of theactivity. The recording feature stores the recording. When another userreceives the flying disc, by use of the interactive touch capabilities,such as a trigger area that is activated when the recipient catches theflying device, it may initiate the transfer of the recording to externalspeakers 77 to play the recording. External speakers 77 have means toreceive the wireless communication, which is well known in the art (SeeBigelow et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,557). This feature can also exist inany type of interactive toy listed above, such as football, airplane,baseball, hockey puck, stuffed animal, themed animal, racquet sports,etc.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature may be video recordingand playing capabilities and quick statistical computing capabilities.This may interact with other flying devices, such that two or three ormore flying devices that all include the interactive feature. Forexample, in a flying disc, one flying disc may have a radio transmitterthat communicates with the other flying disc or discs such that otherusers can listen to the transmission (analog or digital) or share andprocess the activity data. Or in another example, the activity data canbe a video recording from one activity device 21, which can be sharedwith the video with other interactive devices. Or in another example,statistical information about the game can be computed, processed, andsent and shared in an organized manner to all the participants, i.e.,baseball stats, score of game, time left in game, or location of game,or defensive or offensive organization of the setup, point system in apretend game, or all stats associated with the movement of the activitydevice in a particular fashion. In these cases, applicable software isused to process the activity data.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature of the interactive deviceinteracts with an external electronic component such that the user canmake a recording into the interactive device and upon the interactiveunit being active upon a receiver, the device communicates with theexternal electronic component that can play the recording on itsexternal speakers. The electronic component can store the recording aswell, which can be used later.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature with an electroniccomponent may include a motion sensor that triggers through theacceleration, or centripetal movement of the flying disc. By havingbasic spring triggered mechanism, the centripetal force can interact twowires and make an electrical connection that allows for the activationof the feature. This trigger can activate an audio response, visualresponse, or trigger a wireless command to another device or third partydevice.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature with an externalelectronic component may include a camera feature or video feature orsome form of electronic game feature. One user can interact with thedevice to take a picture or video or initiate an electronic game, suchas a classic electronic Simon-Says® game, and upon receiving the deviceby a recipient, the recipient can play the picture, video, or interactwith the Simon Says® game, or an electronic turn based game, orsomething similar that can communicate with an external interactiveaudience. For example, one user can initiate an activity on a Frisbee®,which can input activity data, such as the velocity of each throw. Thisinformation can be processed by the microprocessor and tagged to be thevelocity of each throw. The processed activity data can then be sent toa receiving device. The velocity of the Frisbee® can be posted on theInternet, and the audience from the Internet can then communicatecomments back to the original activity device.

In another embodiment, the interactive feature of the device canphysically alter the device. For example, a flying disc is influenced bygravity and air. When a user hurls a flying disc, air, lift and angularmomentum act on the flying disc giving it a ballet-type performance.Lift is generated by the flying disc's shaped surfaces as it passesthrough the air. This is influenced particularly by the shape of theflying disc. If the flying disk is altered in any way, the lift andangular momentum can change the flight of the disc, changing the courseof its path or rendering it so it can no longer fly. A user can interactwith the flying disc, inputting into a keypad or similar input device, aparticular flight trajectory or pattern of flight for the flying disc.Upon throwing the disc, the disc must perform in the manner that theuser inputs, otherwise, it can open up flaps, using a battery poweredmotor, to alter the flight of the disc. For example, a flying disc mayhave a gyroscope, such that the user can enter for right-side upforehand, or right-side up backhand, or upside down forehand, or upsidedown backhand, inside-out, or outside-in, or thumb throws, or spins. Theuser then passes the flying disc to another user. The other user uponreceiving the flying disc interacts with the device and must now performthe function that was inputted by the first user. The second user mayknow of the input via recording or some form of display that shows thesecond user what function he/she needs to perform. If the second userfails to perform the function, the gyroscope that interacts with themicroprocessor detects an error, which then opens up flaps on the flyingdisc, which makes the flying disc fall to the ground losing theaerodynamic nature of the device. In these cases, the flight alteringcapabilities that are well known in the art act as the receiving devicewhile the input of the activity data is whether the device is beingthrown properly. If the flying disc collects activity data regarding thespeed and velocity of the throw to a receiving device, such as acomputer connected to the Internet, viewers on a website dedicated tothe game or social network site can then communicate a response back tothe activity device. The communication may be an instruction to alterthe flight of the activity device. Because of the immediacy of thecommunication wireless means, viewers on the Internet can affect theflight of the activity device so as to direct it to certain people ormake the activity device inoperable.

Alternatively, this interactive feature that physically alters thedevice may exist in baseballs, flying airplanes, footballs, soccerballs, or any other type of recreational toy or ball, which will alterthe toy or ball in a way to change the projected path of the toy or ballif the desired interaction is not performed. The recreational toy is notlimited to flying objects, and it may include moving recreationalobjects such as bowling balls, bocce balls, curling balls, hockey pucks,golf balls, and the like. The interactive feature is not limited toinputting user requests, and may include an interactive turn-based game,like electronic Simon Says®, such that if the interactive userimproperly plays a turn, the device will physically change making thedevice change in its normal movement paths.

Communication systems are known to support wireless and landline wirecommunications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, andhence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards.For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordancewith one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11,Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), radio frequencyidentification (RFID), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and/or variations thereof.

Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a flying disc toy, generally noted as activity device 21 asdescribed in FIG. 3. The diameter of the activity device isapproximately 10 inches. The body forms a cylindrical shaped formed andhaving an outer diameter “d” sufficiently small to allow for graspingand carrying in a person's hand or dog's mouth. In the commercialembodiment, small, medium and large diameters of 1.25 inches, 1.63inches, and 2 inches, respectively, are provided. However, suchdimensions are merely exemplary and are in no way intended to belimiting. Similarly, the diameter of the commercial embodiment havevarying lengths of small, medium and large being of 6 inches, 9 inches,and 10.5 inches, respectively.

The activity device 21 has a touch activated trigger 3 that is made ofplastic, or capacitance based, inductive based, conductive-based, ormotion-based trigger. The touch activated trigger 3 is connected to amicroprocessor 15 that is attached, or mounted to the activity device 21located at the underbelly or bottom at the center of the activity device1. The microprocessor 15 is comprised of an integrated circuit capableof storing, and executing commands and data. As shown in FIGS. 5 & 6,the microprocessor 15 and a wireless communicator 13 interacts with areceiving device 16 that receives and processes the data. In thiscurrent example, the activity device also has means for takingphotographs, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, standard GPS receiver, andother sensors that input activity data for a software application sothat the software application can calculate the location of the device,calculate the activity based on the movements of the device and stats ofthe activity, store these activity data, including the images from thephoto capabilities, and send them wirelessly by radio, infra red,Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, or broadband frequency that the receiving device16 other devices within range can process. Depending on thesophistication of the software, by the movement and rotation of theactivity device and the frequency that it accelerates, the applicationcan process a number of scenarios for the collected activity data. Forexample, the application software can calculate the score or thelocation of each activity device and see whether it was in bounds, or itcan calculate who is currently holding the activity device. Oncecommunication between the flying devices 21 is established with areceiving device, the microprocessor in conjunction with othercomponents has the ability to initiate this application. In thisparticular example, the application is software that can input theactivity data, such as sounds recorded by the user or pictures of anactivity or personal information about the players in an activity, andthen process, organize, store information about the users, and compileor compare the data of other users as well that may be connected to theapplication.

Through the software based application, this information can becommunicated to a receiving device 16. The receiving device 16 has theability to receive activity data regarding the number of users, the typeof users, the type of game, the location of the game, starting andending time of the game, information about the game location,information about the users or the game, locations of other games andother users, advertisements, local promotions, civic or municipalinformation, geo-tag “bookmarks”, pictures, movies, or audio contentthat is currently being played to a social networking, wherein otherinterested parties can view the device and it current use. The activitydata can be processed at receiving device 16. If the activity data arejust recordings made during the activity, the receiving device is aspeaker or some form of output device. Instead of a speaker or outputdevice, the activity data (whether photos, recordings, stats, points,location, etc.) can be sent elsewhere. For example, if the receivingdevice 16 is another computer that receives wireless activity data fromthe activity device, it can send it to the Internet or public/privatedatabases. The Internet can be friends, via email or text, or it canpublish on public social network sites or dedicated private webpages.

In operation, the present invention preferably utilizes the conventionof a flying toy, or flying disc, or Frisbee® with modern electroniccomponent technology to obtain activity data about the activity, processthe activity data, and communicate that activity data with other usersby sending it to a receiving device, wherein the receiving device iseither hardware output components, like speakers, or a Internetconnected computer that wireless receives activity data from theactivity device. The activity device can gather activity data from anynumber of sensors, recorders, or cameras, or other input devices. It canalso act as a simple wireless trigger for a secondary device or devices,requiring only a password exchange (or Bluetooth ‘handshake’) toinitiate a pre-programmed play pattern within the receiving device. Inthis particular embodiment, one user uses the activity device to make arecording regarding the statistics of a particular organized activity.The electronic components in the activity device record the message andalternatively record other activity data.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical application, to thereby enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the prior art wherein activity data may besent to an external device, such as a speaker. These flowcharts in FIGS.14 to 23 demonstrate some of the different embodiments of this inventionthat discloses electronic components that collect activity data andcommunicate it with others.

In FIG. 13, a prior art activity device flowchart is disclosed. At thestart 100, there is an activity. The activity can be a flying disc game.In this prior art system, the host activates a system 101. The systemcan be a number of different software applications, such as anapplication to record sound bites and play them, or share pictures. Theprior art activity device as disclosed by U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0183,576 A1to Lindsey et al. titled “Throwable Object Featuring Message Record AndImpact-Activated Playback,” does exactly that and records messages,sound bites, graphics, images, and videos and such. This is sent to anoutput device 102, like speakers. In contrast, the activity data that isinputted in the present invention is processed at the activity deviceand is sent to a receiving device to allow an interactive audience toparticipate.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, at the start 210, there is anactivity. The activity can be any of the activities listed above. Inthis series of steps, the host activates an application 211, and thenapplication reads the data, such as the data listed above, but notlimited to those activities only. The application then processes thedata, such as organizing the data into lists. In this embodiment, theactivity data is sent wirelessly, as discussed by the many differenttypes of wireless communication above, and a receiving device acceptsthat activity data 212. Further in the embodiment, the activity data isfurther processed. The processing of the data comes in many forms. Thereceiving device can store data, manipulate data, share data, displaythe data, print the data, or any type of processing of the data. Forexample, in this embodiment, a bicycle race is envisioned. One hostracer activates a race application that located in an electronic housingthat is attached to his bicycle. This electronic housing has componentsthat measure the speed of the bicycle. For example, the presentinvention hereby incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Pat.No. 4,007,419, to inventor Jamine and titled “Digital bicyclespeedometer-odometer,” which discloses one of many standard ways thatthe speed of a bicycle can be measured, and such components exist toinput activity data, such as the speed of the bicycle, to theapplication. The application may have many other features, such as timeand location of where he/she is on the race using standard componentsfor GPS receivers and atomic clocks that communicate as inputs for theapplication. In this present invention and improvement from the priorart, the activity data is organized by the microprocessor and memorycapabilities of the activity device electronic housing 9 and thencommunicated via wireless communication, perhaps a Bluetooth®connection, to a receiving device, such as a computer or mobile phone.The computer or mobile phone receiving device then processes this data,for example, sending it to a public or private database, or socialnetwork site. Tracking information on individual racers or speed thatthe racer is running at or personal information regarding the racer or aprocessed list of the rankings can all be viewed from the receivingdevice that is able to communicate it with the Internet or other device.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, there is disclosed anotherembodiment. In this embodiment, the host, whether a participant orspectator, initiates an application from a mobile device 311. The mobiledevice can be a computer or mobile phone or many of the discussediteration of computer-like devices discussed above. The mobile devicethen interacts with a second device or toy 312 that is located on theactivity device. The second device contains the electronic housing withone or more electronic components that can communicate with the mobiledevice. This interaction can be done in many ways as discussed above butnot limited to, wireless communication methods via Bluetooth, infrared,NFC, hotspot creation, and the like. The activity device then reads anactivity data 313. The activity data is then submitted to a separatereceiving device 314, which can store the activity data, manipulate theactivity data, share the activity data, display the activity data, printor show the activity data, or any other type of processing of theactivity data 315. For example, in this embodiment, let's suppose thereis a Disc Golf® game that has been initiated. These electroniccomponents are located precisely at the center and equally spaced fromthe center of the flying disc such as not to interfere with the flightof the disc. Further, the flying disc has a precise weight forcompetition. And the materials removed from the flying disc is within10% of the material weight of the complete electronic housing 9. Thehost of the Disc Golf® game is interested in finding additional players.The host initiates an application from his mobile phone, although theinitiation can be from a variety of different devices, such as discussedabove, but not limited to, such as a computer, laptop, smart phone,computer pad, electronic reader, and the like. The application thencommunicates with an electronic component located in an electronichousing located in the activity device. The communication can beinitiated in a variety of ways, such as manual turning on of theelectronic housing located in the activity device, or an automaticinitiation once the host initiates his application from his mobile phone(by wireless activation). By either the host entering data into hismobile phone about the characteristics or by the activity deviceautomatically recognizing the location and the activity of the game, theelectronic device in the activity device then communicates this data viawireless communication to another receiving device, such as a computer.Other viewers of this activity data would understand the location andtime of the activity involved with the activity device was initiated andmay decide to join the activity based on it. Depending on the componentsthat may exist in the flying disc, the activity data that may be sharedare as discussed above, such as the speed or flight path of the disc,the tracking of the disc, the players involved in the game, thestatistics of the game, the rules of the game, pictures and videos andsound recordings from the activity, and the like. This activity data isall organized by the software application in a way to efficientlycommunicate the activity data. The activity data can also be compressedusing standard compression methods, such as MPEG, MP3, MP4, AIFF, etc.formats. The compression itself is considered “processing.”

In FIG. 16, the host of the activity either involved in the activitydirectly or a spectator initiates an application 411. The applicationcan be on the device or toy itself as envisioned in FIGS. 13 and 14, orit can be on a smart phone as discussed in FIG. 15 that communicateswith the activity device 412. Again, as in FIG. 15, activity data isread 413, processed, and it is then communicated to a separate receivingdevice 414. The separate receiving device then processes the data. Theprocess of data will involve posting the activity data or communicatingthe activity data on a dedicated webpage, database (public and private)as discussed above, website, or social network site 415 as discussedabove. The communication or posting of the activity data can involvesharing of photos, recordings from the location, location of theactivity, time of the activity, score, players involved, and the like.The type of dedicated network site or a social network site are asdiscussed above, but not limited to those only. Other interested viewersof this activity data on the website would understand the activity data.For example, suppose a kite flying contest was held at a nearby park.The host of the kite flying contest decides to post the contestants,stats, and various pictures. The host initiates the kite flying contestapplication on his smart phone, which can communicate with an electronicdevice on the host's kite. The electronic device does not need to be onthe kite, but communicating the data with the host's kite canimmediately communicate data to the host application. The hostapplication can also detect other players with electronic components inthe kite. Such activity data as the name of the contestants, name of thekite, the type of kite, and speed or height of the kite, or the locationof the kite activity using a standard GPS location component can becommunicated with the host application. The electronic component on thekite may also take pictures from the sky. Such activity data isprocessed by organizing the data and compressing the data, and thencommunicated with a receiving device via wireless communication, asdiscussed above, but not limited to those types of communications. Theinformation that is received by the receiving device can then post theactivity information on the Internet, to a social network site, or adedicated webpage for kite enthusiasts. Enthusiasts will have theopportunity to experience an interactive and immediate experiencewherein as shown below, the enthusiasts will be allowed to send amessage back to the kite or perhaps with audience participation giveinstructions to take pictures at the audience's desire.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the same type of activity iscontemplated as in FIGS. 13-16, but in this example, the host activatesan application from a host device 511. As in FIGS. 13-16, the hostdevice can either be a separate mobile device or computer as discussedabove that communicates with an electronic housing in the activitydevice, or the host device can be the actual electronic housing in theactivity device 512. By acting on its own, the host device can belocated on a separate device from the activity toy or be located on thetoy or host device as discussed above 512. For example, the applicationcan act on its own by initiating the application from a mobile phonedevice or it can communicate with an electronic component wirelesslythat is located on the activity device or toy 513. Then, activity datais read 514. The activity data is processed and then wirelesslycommunicated with separate receiving device 515, which then furtherprocesses the data 516. The activity data is then posted on a dedicatednetwork site or a social network site or a dedicated webpage, 517. Afterviewers see the activity data on a dedicated network site or socialnetwork site, the viewer communicates back via wirelessly other datathat may or may not correspond with the activity. For example, let'ssuppose there's a remote controlled airplane contest that is held at acertain park. A host, whether a spectator or participant of the contest,may initiate the application either by his activity device, in otherwords, an electronic component in his model plane, or a smart phoneapplication that communicates with an electronic component in the plane.The initiation of the application can also occur in the variationsdiscussed above, such as touch sensor, induction sensor, motion sensor,and the like. At this point other smart phones or activity devices withcorresponding components that are participants or spectators of thisevent may communicate with the host and share the contestant names,photos of the contest, or type of remote controlled plane, or the typeof contest, score of the activity, or the actual recognition of theactivity. This activity data is organized into lists, compressed, andfrom the host is then communicated via wirelessly to another device, areceiving device, such as a computer, via wirelessly as discussed above.The names of the contestants, the planes, photos of the activity, andscore of the activity will then be posted on a social network, likeFacebook, or a dedicated webpage for remote controlled airplaneenthusiasts. A viewer may find the information valuable and decide toshare his/her own information back to the host, whether it be properrankings of the contestants or information regarding the rules of thegame and such.

In FIG. 18, all the actions are consistent with other embodimentsdiscussed above, but in this case, it communicates activity data withother participants or spectators. When a host activates an application611 from the activity device, it then seeks to see if it can communicatewith other activity devices or mobile phones 612. It may communicatewith them and share information, such as activity data 613. This isparticularly useful when there are more than one activity device thatneed to talk to each other. The activity device and its electronichousing with wireless search capabilities searches for other usersnearby. The activation of the wireless search may occur by motionsensors or movement sensors located with the circuitry of the electronichousing. Upon electronic handshake, or the like, if multipleparticipants are found, a communication link is established. There isactivity data that is collected by all the participants and thenprocessed by organizing the activity data into lists that correspond toeach participant, and then the activity data is compressed and is sentto a receiving device 615. The receiving device may be connected to theInternet, and as discussed above, may share the activity data with otherinterested viewers. As an example, let's take a simple game of Dungeons& Dragons that is being played by enthusiasts. At this particular game,a host decides to activate an application that describes the currentgame that is being played. The activation of the application may existin his figurines. The figurines may communicate with smart phones orother figurines or dice or manuals that are associated with the currentgame. It can recognize the players that are involved in the game and thefictional players that are represented by the figurines. The data mayalso come with associated player rankings or level or statistics oncharacteristics of the fictional players involved. If the electroniccomponents are located it in the figurines, dice, or manual, theelectronic components are located in such a way that it would notinterfere with the activity. Once again, the weight displaced by takingaway material for the electronic component must be within 10% of theweight of the electronic components and done so in a conspicuous manner,such as locating it at the center of the figurine so as not to interferewith the enjoyment of the game. In one particular case, let's say thatthe electronic component was in the dice. The electronic component mayalso come with a gyroscope, microprocessor, RAM, ROM, applicationsoftware, sensors to know when the dice is being tossed and what roll itreceives. This can be considered activity data to be communicated withother devices or other users in the room. The processing of the data mayinvolve calculating damages to the characters involved. The recognitionof all the players may read and process data, such as the charactersthat are involved in the game or the time and location of the currentgame. The data can come from all different users depending on the otherparticipants that are communicating with the host application. At thispoint, other users may collect more activity data, such as anotherparticipant of this activity may have died in the game and is no longera participant of the activity. This information may be communicated witha receiving device, such as discussed above, and that information can beshared with other enthusiast via dedicated webpage, database, or socialnetwork.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, the participation of readingactivity data and sharing the activity data does not have to derive fromthe host. Once an application is initiated, the activity device searchesfor other participants 715. It then looks to see if another host exists716, and if it does, it tries to communicate its own activity data withthe host participant 718. If it does not, it allows for the ability tohost a game and communicate data with other interested users 717. Thefinal connection of the host and the participants all have the abilityto process, share, analyze, and communicate the activity data to areceiving device, where it may share that information with a network orsocial network or dedicated webpage 719, or the like. As a mere example,let's take the situation of a chess tournament. A participant decides toenter the tournament and upon doing so, the participant activates anapplication located in his activity device that is attached to hispersonal chess set, pieces, timer, board, or chess tournament membershipcard. At this time the electronic components establish links with otheractivity devices as discussed above. Activity data regarding the name ofthe participant, chess ranking, the type of match that being played, thestatus, the time, the location using standard GPS components, and thelike, are exchanged between the linked activity devices and then theactivity data is processed (i.e. organized into lists and compressed).By standard search features on wireless receivers, the activity devicesearches for a “host.” If there is a host, the participant is given anoption to join that host. If there is not a host, the participant isgiven an option to host the game. In this particular case, the “host”will have a digital signature that is designated for hosting. When theactivity devices are linked, the activity device that “hosts” will havea recognizable identity digital signature and will allow other users toparticipate with the “host.” The host collects all the activity datafrom all the activity devices in the room and processes it. Theprocessing can be an organization of all the players names, characternames, characteristics of the characters, inventory of the characters,past battles, and all other traits. The host communicates the activitydata with a receiving device. Activity data can also consist of chessmoves in a particular game or the rankings of an individual. Thisactivity data that is sent to is then sent to another receiving devicewhere it can be process and published, as discussed above, but notlimited to, such as social network website, like Twitter, or a chessenthusiast webpage. Enthusiasts may interactively provide tips orsuggested moves to the activity device.

As shown in FIG. 20, there is an embodiment that in disclosed wherein auser has a device that is constantly searching for other users. In theembodiment, the application is loaded to an electronic component that isattached to the user's activity device, and the application is always on811. The application constantly searches for other participants 812.Once it recognizes another participant, it makes an effort tocommunicate with the other participant 813. If communication isestablished between one or more users 814, then the activity data may becommunicated to another receiving device 815. For example, let's say theactivity is a friendly game of golf. In this example, an electronichousing may exist in an activity device that is associated with a golfbag, golf clubs, or golf apparel of some nature. The electroniccomponent is on and constantly looking for other devices that itrecognizes. Standard devices exist for the sending out of frequenciesand the reading of the frequencies, which can be done with low batterypower usage. In this embodiment, during a particular activity, onegolfer's electronic component picks up on the fact that his friend isalso playing in the event. Certain data, such as the name of the golfer,the handicap of the golfer, the course they are playing on and itsrating and slope, and location, and time of the event can be shared bythe two electronic components being near each other once a wirelessconnection is established between the two activity devices. The activitydata can be the location of the golfer or the swing speed of the golfclub. The present invention hereby incorporates the disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 6,805,005 B1 to Elizondo, which is titled “Device forincreasing and measuring the golf, tennis, and batting swing.” Devicesknown in the art to measure the swing of a golf club and other activitydevices are well known in the art. During this event, the activitydevices perform electronic handshakes automatically, processes theactivity data for efficient transferring (i.e., organizing theparticipant names into lists with the associated characteristics andcompressing the data) and each of the activity device electronic housingis able to communicate the activity data back to the receiving device,which can be posted on the Internet, which allows for an interactiveexperience.

As shown by the flowchart of FIG. 21, the embodiment disclosed is asystem similar to FIG. 20, wherein the application is always on 911, andmakes an effort to communicate with other users, 912, and once itrecognizes another user, it makes an effort to communicate with theother user 913. Once the communication is established between one ormore users 914, the activity data may be communicated between them,processed, and then the processed activity data may be sent to areceiving device that further processes the activity data 915. Thisactivity data may be communicated with a network 916 and ultimately hasthe ability to communicate data back to the original device andapplication wirelessly 917. For an example, let's say an activity isplanned for playdate of children and their Disney® characters. Disney®characters all vary—some princesses, some Club Penguin® characters, andthe like. In this embodiment, these Disney® figurines, dolls, stuffedanimals, or character toys contain an electronic component thatconstantly searches for other characters in the nearby vicinity. Thissearch is performed using wireless communication search capabilities andreceiving of wireless communication capabilities as discussed above.Once two activity devices in the shape of stuffed characters orfigurines (i.e., in two different dolls that come in contact with eachother at the playdate), the electronic components create a communicationlink, wherein activity data such as rank, total points, name, name ofowner, type of doll, tracking information, and other activity data isexchanged. The electronic housing also has a circuitry with a GPSreceiver, microprocessor, memory, ROM, RAM, application, and a digitaldisplay. The digital display may show the rank of the character and theexperience point of the character. The digital display may also showvarious other information, like the location of the activity device andpersonal information about its owner. This activity data that isexchanged is valuable to each individual. Further in this embodiment,the act of exchanging the characters and/or activity data between twoactivity devices allows for the additional activity data to beexchanged, such as the time and location of the exchange. The exchangingof the activity data is the processing of the data, which can also becompressed. This activity data can then be transmitted to a receivingdevice that can further process and organize this information. In thisparticular example, the activity devices wirelessly communicate with areceiving device, which is a computer. The computer may use a database(public or private as discussed above) to organize the activity data.The computer may also provide immediate up to date tracking location ofwhere the activity device is currently located. If there is a tradebetween Disney characters, there can be tracking of the animal so thatone person can see where the Disney character ends up. This activitydata and the names of the characters and owners and other personalinformation is then processed at the receiving device. If there is somesort of point system or cash system, the actual participants may obtaincash or points on a dedicated network game, such as Club Penguin, orother social network site. This particular embodiment does not have tobe Disney characters. It can be various other devices above, but it canalso be collectible items, such as stamps or coins. The coins or stampscan have the electronic housing 9 and the components of RAM, ROM,application software, microprocessor, optionally sensors, standardwireless communication capabilities that miniaturized so as not tointerfere with the size or the enjoyment of the activity device. Theywould also be located in the center of the toy so as hard to reach bychildren. The tracking of each activity device, whether it is a stuffedanimal, a Disney character, or a coin can be done on the Internet whenthat activity data is shared with a receiving device 16. Other activitydata, like the name and rank and starting destination of the activitydevice is also shared to a larger audience. The receiving device that isable to organize all the activity data can also allow other people toparticipate in the activity. If a viewer is tracking one Disneycharacter by the activity data that is posted on the Internet, theviewer can actually send a message, updates to a point system orranking, picture, or voice recording to the activity device either bysending that information directly via wireless communication, such as3G, 4G, or WiFi capabilities back to the Disney character, wherein thatinformation can be experienced on the display or speakers.

As shown in FIG. 22, an embodiment is disclosed wherein a user creates a“hotspot” wireless capability. In this embodiment, a participantinitiates the hotspot 1011 and other users may join the hotspot 1012 and1015 and potentially share the activity data with other networkreceiving device. If not, the activity is ended 1016. This disclosure isnot intended to exclude wireless capabilities that are not technicallycalled “hotspoting.” This is a mere example of a type of communicationthat may exist between various activity devices and/or receivingdevices. Also, there is embodied a system wherein a daisy chain likesequence can be incorporated such that a pattern may exist in inputtingthe activity data. These devices can be programmed to transmit only in acertain sequence with each other. The reasons for this may be to createa play by play pattern, or to save frequency airplay, or to create asimpler communication pattern for all the devices that are active. Thistype of activity data collection is well known in the art.

Let's say there is an example of a football game wherein the electronichousing is located precisely in the laces of the activity devicefootball as in FIG. 8. The electronic housing 9 is placed in lacing 25so as not to alter the laces' weight or utility. In the making of afootball, four panels or pieces of leather or plastic are required. Twoof the panels are perforated along adjoining edges, so that they can belaced together. One of these lacing panels receives an additionalperforation and reinforcements in its center, to hold the inflationvalve. Each panel is attached to an interior lining. The four panels arethen stitched together in an “inside-out” manner. The edges with thelacing holes, however, are not stitched together. The ball is thenturned right side out by pushing the panels through the lacing hole. Apolyurethane or rubber lining called a bladder is inserted through thelacing hole. Usually, a polyvinyl chloride or leather laces are insertedthrough the perforations to provide a grip to the activity ball. In thisparticular case, the laces are made by a polyvinyl chloride or syntheticmaterials, which may include plastics. One section of the lace providesroom inside to house a circuitry and electronic components above. Theweight and size of these components accurately are within 10% of theactually weight of the leather lace and is tested thoroughly as to nothinder in any way the aerodynamic nature of the activity device.Standard miniaturized modern electronic components are small enough todisclose an electronic housing inside laces having a circuitry,microprocessor, accelerometer, gyroscope, sensors, RAM, ROM, andapplication software can all exist in a small lace housing.

The electronic components may also exist or coexist in the helmets orpadding of football apparel. The tracking of the location of thefootball, the speed of the football, the location of each player inevery move, the spin of the football, the closeness of the football toeach player, the time sequence of the plays, and all of these activitiescan be communicated by various ways as discussed in the many examples ofFIGS. 13-21 above are contemplated. Because the above disclosurediscloses a device that can record sound recordings and videorecordings, the embodiment also envisions the use of video and soundrecordings on each activity device, such as helmets, to communicate thisactivity data to a receiving device. This is considered activity datathat is processed and that can be sent to a receiving device. In thisparticular embodiment, there is a “hotspot” created by a receivingdevice of some sort. The “hotspot” creation initiates other devices tocommunicate its activity data by creating a “hotspot” communicationcapability with the receiving device. With such activity data collected,coaches can study the plays, the speed of each player, the location ofeach player all on a computer when that activity data is processed andcommunicated with the appropriate software, which is standard in theindustry. Other interested viewers can also communicate back to theactivity device any type of message or signal once the information isprocessed at the receiving device.

As shown in FIG. 23, there is disclosed a capability of the device to beactivated by the actual activity 1111. The activated application at thistime may have the ability to activate other nearby devices 1112. Thesenearby devices have standard electronic components that search forcertain frequencies and searches for electronic handshakes in order torecognize other devices that are using the same application. Oncerecognition of an activity exists, the activity device can activatetheir own applications in the nearby devices. The methods of activationof the application are discussed above, and are not limited to thoseexamples. For example, in a game of Ultimate Frisbee®, the electronicdevice inside the Frisbee® may be actually activated by the centrifugalforce created by the toss. Standard flying discs with lights use thecentripetal force of the toss with a spring and simple electroniccomponents to connect and trigger an initiation with a toss. It may alsobe triggered by proximity, motion, or audio sensors that communicatewith each other. In so doing, it may actually activate other nearbydevices, such as other activity devices with compatible applications ormobile phones. In such cases, the communication of the devices isachieved when the activity data can be passed back and forth via any ofthe methods of wireless communication discussed above 1113. In oneexample, there is disclosed a children's activity for the collection ofcertain fake coins or stamps. In this particular case, the coins maycontain the electronic housing and components. There also exists inthese coins GPS, sensors, microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and ability to runapplication. These coins or stamps can be traded. Activity data aboutthe trade and the owner of the coins can be exchanged between theactivity devices and processed. The activity data can then becommunicated by wireless communication to a receiving device wherepeople all over the world can track the coin or play a point system gameand track the statistics of the point system and rankings of each playeronline. As discussed, the interactive experience would allow theworldwide audience to comment about a particular trade or give commandsto the actually activity device.

As discussed above, the inventive concepts are as follows:

An activity device used in an activity comprising a body suitable forthe activity, the body having an electronic housing having a firstelectronic component having a circuitry and input components capable ofcollecting data about the activity and capability for processing theactivity data, and a second electronic component capable of sending theactivity data to a receiving device. The processing of data includesorganizing the data into lists or organizing the data into tables orarrays. The processing of data also may include compressing of the datausing standard compression methods so that when the data iscommunicated, the data is efficient and the interactive experience isimmediate. The first electronic component is capable of storing,processing, and outputting the activity data. The output can be externaldisplay or speakers or any type of disconnected, external output device.Further, the receiving device is capable of receiving the activity dataand further processing the activity data. Further, the activity devicecan be a Frisbee® or a flying disc. Further, the activity device can bea flying toy, or flying vehicle, or football, baseball, basketball,flying ring, sport ball, Olympic weights, projectiles, guns, soccerball, sponge balls, sponge darts, darts, flying toy airplanes, flyingtoy helicopters, dolls, action figures, figurines, teddy bears, chesspieces, golf clubs or golf apparel, collectible and tradable cards orcoins, tennis racquets or tennis apparel, and the such. The activitydevice is not limited to these examples only.

The activity device collects activity data, wherein the activity data iscomprised of photos of the activity, videos of the activity, soundrecordings of the activity, the type of activity, the score of anactivity, the location of an activity, the time an activity startedand/or stopped, the rules of the activity, the participants of theactivity, personal information about the participants of the activity,the point systems involved in an activity, and/or the stats of anactivity. The activity can be comprised of an Ultimate Frisbee® game, orgolf Frisbee® game, Disc Frisbee®, or a basketball game, or a baseballgame, or a hockey game, or a chess match, or a kite flying contest, or aflying vehicle contest, or a golf tournament, or a game of roll-playinggame, or a race, or a marathon, or a triathlon, or a bike race, anactivity involving trading of cards or coins, or an organized activityinvolving themed characters or figures.

The activity device collects activity data by using an application. Theapplication can be software that resides in the circuitry of the firstelectronic component.

There is disclosed a trigger that plays pre-recorded messages from anactivation that is triggered by touch or a catch of the activity device,the “touch” by the user that activates the play of the recording in anexternal device. The trigger can be a sensor for motion or light. Thetrigger can be manual, such as a button that a user decides to manuallypress.

In one embodiment, the activity device is a circular flying disc, andthis activity device has the first electronic component and secondelectronic component that are comprised of a weight and shape and arelocated in the middle and the activity device such that the total weightof said activity device weighs between 150 and 180 grams. The activitydevice also include sound producing speakers wherein the sound producingspeakers are located centrally as not to distort the flight of theflying disc or create interferences with the sound.

In another embodiment, the activity device is an oblong spherical shape,or a football shape. In this embodiment, the activity device is anair-filled sphere with a circumference of 68-70 cm (27-28 in), a weight410-450 g (14-16 oz), inflated to a pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 atmospheres(59-108 kPa, 8.6-15.7 psi) at sea level, and covered in leather or othersuitable material, such as plastic, leather/plastic hybrid, syntheticmaterial, sponge material, but not limited to these materials. In thisembodiment, the electronic component or components are placed in thelaces or at the center inside of the activity device and displaced withthe equal amount of weight being taken off the activity device in a wayas not to interfere with the normal flight or movement of the activitydevice during the course of the activity.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy, such as a toyanimal or toy coin. In this embodiment, for example, it if the toyanimal was a duck, the electronic component or components would behidden in the beak of the duck, or perhaps the eye of the duck, so asnot to interfere with the enjoyment of the duck.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy airplane. In thisembodiment, the electronic component or components, would be located atthe nose of the plane such as to equally disperse the weight of thecomponents to both side of the activity device and also perhaps aid inthe flight of the device if the device needs added weight.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a toy doll or stuffedanimal. In this embodiment, the activity device can be a theme parkanimal. It can be action figures. It can be accessories, or coins. Inthis embodiment, the activity device will have the electronic component,such as the microprocessor, wireless communicator, RAM, ROM, applicationsoftware, and such all located in an area such as the nose of thestuffed animal. It can also be in the paw of the animal. The activitydevice can be triggered by way sensor, motion sensor, touch sensor, andthe like as discussed below.

In another embodiment, the activity device is a paddle and ball. In thisembodiment, the electronic components are in both the ball and thepaddle and they are located in a place as to not interfere with theflight of the ball or the motion of the paddle. In each of these cases,an equal amount of weight is displaced from the device as the weight ofthe electronic components.

In other embodiments, whether the activity device is roller skates,hockey puck, skateboard, motorcycle, racing bike, swimming goggles, orthe like, the electronic components discussed below must weigh within 1to 10 percent of the displaced weight taken out from the activity deviceso as not to interfere with the normal movement of the activity device.

The first electronic component of the activity device has amicroprocessor and the ability to contain an application. Theapplication is software that can process activity data related to theactivity. The application can be recording application to record soundbites of an activity, a recording application to record pictures orvideos of an activity, stat processing application to store and processstats of an activity, organization application to process the names ofparticipants in an activity or personal information about theparticipants or spectators involved in the activity, an application tokeep the score of an activity, a point system application that involvespoint systems for participants, an application for the names of devicesin the activity or the type of activity and/or the rules of an activity.The type of application is not limited to these only types.

The first electronic component may have an activation trigger. Theactivation trigger can be a sensory touch pad, synchronized timetrigger, which is called a hive trigger, internal clock and trigger, thecentripetal force of the activity device being thrown, accelerometer,motion sensor, the physical movement of the activity device being usedin an activity, the effect of another device activating it via wirelesstechnology, such as a smart phone, laptop, computer, satellitecommunication, or just manual activation. The immediacy of theactivation trigger allows for the quicker responses that are needed fora quick interactive experience. The activation trigger can bemechanical, pressure-triggered, moisture-triggered,capacitive-triggered, electromagnetically-triggered, wirelesslytriggered, motion sensor triggered, input keypad, induction-triggered,or a combination thereof. The activation trigger acts to initiate theapplication. In this particular case, this activation is considered tobe the activity data. A trigger for playing a pre-recorded messagemight, for example, be initiated by the activation data sent to theprocessor when a touch trigger is activated.

The activity device has a second electronic component that has theability to communicate the activity data to a receiving device, whichcan be speakers for audio related features, a monitor for video orpicture related activity, or some form of electronic component thatvibrates, or it can also be another computer, smart phone, laptop, tablePC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate faxmachines, netbook, or another activity device being used separately. Incases, where the receiving device is a computer, smart phone, laptop,table PC's, e-readers, mobile phones, separate printers, separate faxmachines, netbook, or another activity device, the ability tocommunicate with the receiving device must not interfere with theactivity, and such communication means can be done by wirelesscommunication, such as NFC, Bluetooth, hotspot creation, WiFi, satellitecommunication, phone frequency communication, 3G or 4G or 5G frequencycommunication.

The receiving device contains a third electronic component that canprocess the information. The third electronic component can display theactivity data, can show the activity data in instances of the activitydata being pictures or video, play the activity data in instances wherethe activity data is audio, organize the activity data, compare activitydata of various users, compute activity data with activity data of otherparticipants, calculate the activity data for scoring or point systempurposes, database the activity data, and communicate the activity datato other viewers. The communication of the activity data to otherviewers can be done by the Internet, and the activity data can be sentout by email, by text messages, by posting the information on adedicated Website, by posting the information to a social network site,such as Twitter or Facebook or Myspace, or by creating its own webpagefor the viewers.

In instances where the receiving device is another activity device, theactivity data that is communicated can be combined with the activitydata of the separate activity device and processed or computed toorganize the combined activity data or compare or statisticallycalculated for purposes of scoring or point system tracking. There canbe more than one receiving device, and there can be the ability tocompute all activity data in all receiving devices. The receiving devicein this instance can be triggered by sensory touch pad, hive trigger,internal clock and trigger, the centripetal force of the activity devicebeing thrown, accelerometer, motion sensor, the activity of the activitydevice, or manual activation.

The point system is such that it can exist for children and games oradults. It can keep track of players, rankings, skill level, theinventory of items that they may be associated with, personalinformation. For purposes of activity devices that use dolls andcharacters or coins and collectibles, there can be a tracking featureassociated with the point system that allows for people to track wheretheir activity device is located or has been traded to.

A fourth electronic component exists wherein the viewer of the activitydata can communicate separate data back to the first electroniccomponent. The separate data can be text messages, video, pictures,audio, activity stats, activity rules, activity rankings, viewerstatistics, the name and personal information of the viewer such thatthe person involved in the activity with the activity device can view,listen, or process the separate data. The separate data can also besimple digital instructions that can be used by the activity device toperform commands. The separate data may be an instruction to take apicture or turn the flying toy or turn off the flying capabilities.

The present invention calls for a recreational device made of varioushard or flexible plastics, fiber, fiberglass, fabric, wood, metals,alloys, polymers, molding, sponge, rubber, vinyl, foam, and plastic.

The present invention calls for an activity device with an electronichousing that may contain one or more of the following: recordingcomponent, a speaker component, a memory storage component, a wirelesscommunication component, video component, and a camera component. Thedevice also contains a microprocessor, memory, energy source, and datainput and transfer means. Further, the electronic component cancommunicate with other activity devices. It may communicate with otherrecreational toys or the like. It may contain a radio transmitter or anability to interact with a user such to alter the movement of the toy ordevice depending on the interaction of the user.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention.

1. A flying disc used in a sporting activity comprising a disc shapedbody; a electronic housing having an input component capable ofcollecting data about said activity, a microprocessor, a secondcomponent to run a software application, said input means beingconnected to said microprocessor, said microprocessor having the meansto run an application and process said activity data, a component tosend said activity data to a separate unconnected receiving device, saidreceiving device having a component to process the activity data.
 2. Theflying disc of claim 1 wherein the said electronic housing is comprisedof a weight and shape to minimize the aerodynamic impact of said flyingtoy and wherein said activity data is a sound recording, said inputcomponent is a recording device, and wherein there is a trigger thatrecords activity data and plays the activity data at the receivingdevice.